From Campus to Classroom: Stories That Shape Education
- NC A&T is ranked number one and is the largest HBCU, the leading producer of Black engineers at both undergraduate and graduate levels.
- Winston-Salem State University emphasizes health sciences, anchored by physical therapy and healthcare administration, adding applied AI and business programs.
- Elizabeth City State University expanded its workforce-first approach into advanced manufacturing, cybersecurity, emergency management, education and aviation.
- Ranking criteria include tuition cost, graduation rates, and post-college income; in-state tuition ranges from about $9,000 at WSSU to $28,000 at NC A&T.
by: Jim Sands
Three North Carolina HBCUs are ranked in the top 10 public universities in the United States for 2026, with two of the top 10 located in the Piedmont Triad, according to Forbes.
North Carolina A&T State University, Winston-Salem State University and Elizabeth City State University were recognized among these institutions of higher learning as among the best in the country based on a variety of benchmarks.
Decisive criteria consist of cost of tuition, the institutions’ graduation rate and average income after college as compared to other HBCUs in the country.
NC A&T is ranked number one on the list. NC A&T is the largest HBCU in the country and known as the biggest producer of Black engineers at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.
WSSU occupies the eighth spot. WSSU has built on a core of health sciences, which is anchored by physical therapy and healthcare administration degrees, alongside newer offerings including applied AI and business.
ECSU is ninth on the list. ECSU has expanded its workforce-first approach into advanced manufacturing, cybersecurity, emergency management, education and aviation.
Tuition ranges from just over $9,000 at WSSU to over $28,000 at NC A&T for in-state tuition.
Fields of study and career objectives can change the actual cost and perception of value based on individual students’ needs.
But the Forbes list is a great starting point for families considering HBCUs as they compare cost, curriculum and career possibilities and post-graduation income expectations.
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